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    Half Way House

    4.4 (260 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Half Way House Reservations

    Half Way House Photos

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    HALF WAY HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy
    Quiet

    Recommended Reviews - Half Way House

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    Reviews With Photos - Half Way House

    Salmon Piccata
    Heather B.

    I was in the area to see the monks passing thru. I knew I would need to find some dinner after. I did my research on the good ol Yelp app and came across Half Way House. The vibes I immediately got was dinning in Williamsburg, VA. They also had great reviews, so why not. They had a reservation option via Yelp. I doubted I need it but opted just incase since there were a lot of people in the area. When you park walk to the right go down the steps and straight into the cellar dining room. I was greeted and seated right away. I was seated towards the back near the fireplace. The ambiance was just what I needed. Soft classical music. I started out with the soup du jour, which was a creamy tomato bisque. It really hit the spot after being in the cold the past few hours. After the soup I had the Chesapeake Crab Cake appetizer. It was $24 for 2. They were perfect. The sauce really adds great flavor to the crab cake. My main meal was the salmon piccata. It was paired with asparagus, and a baked potato. I ended my evening with a cup of hot tea and strawberry cheesecake. It was the perfect ending to a nice night out. Service was fantastic. Brandon and Heather worked well together and were very efficient. They were soft spoken, well mannered and dressed well. Any questions I had they were delighted to answer and provide opinion if needed.

    Very romantic and intimate setting
    Ulgonda K.

    Beautiful setting and wonderful service. Highly recommended for a romantic evening. Good food and excellent wine. We would go back.

    Menu
    Nicole B.

    Wanted a historic dining experience and this was the perfect destination. The staff was very knowledgeable of the history of the building and let us visit the upstairs area freely. The steak was buttery and tender, the fireplace and soft lighting was such a beautiful experience. They do have quite a few dinner options with seafood, if you have a shellfish allergy your options may be limited. It's a perfect destination for a dinner date.

    Kitchen
    Teresa G.

    Went on Mother's Day, they had a special menu for the occasion. I had the Prime Rib my husband had the crab cakes & my mom had the filet tenderloin. All of it was excellent. We enjoyed checking out the grounds (kitchen is in separate building). Property has a lot of history. Service was impeccable. Highly recommend the Halfway House!

    Dining area

    It was amazing to dine at this historic quaint restaurant in Virginia. The service was great and the food was delicious. It was perfect for Father's Day and would also be nice place to take a special someone.

    The Specialty Of The House (Petite Filet with Crab Cake, Green Beans, and Twice Baked Potato)
    Jacob B.

    This was my second time dining at The Half Way House and it was just as good as, perhaps even better than, my first visit! I highly recommend to anyone that enjoys history, excellent food, an enchanting atmosphere, and stellar service. I come here mainly for the unmatched ambiance. Few restaurants rival The Half Way House's atmosphere. Built in 1760 as a rest stop between Richmond and Petersburg, its basement dining room features cozy lighting, a crackling fire, historic paintings on 250-year-old walls, and baroque music. The setting evokes the era of famous travelers who passed through. This historic charm sets the stage for the meal. I hold the theory that if a restaurant serves tasty bread, the food will follow suit, and this theory certainly holds at Half Way House. After enjoying the bread, we ordered fried artichoke hearts, a first for me. I found them delicious and am sad it took so long for me to find out! Our mains, both the House Speciality, arrived slower due to a larger party upstairs but were perfect! They had ideal temperature and exquisite flavor. After the main course we each ordered dessert, my mother a chocolate truffle cake and me a strawberry cheesecake. Once again home runs! The last part of what makes The Half Way House stand out is the fantastic service that was provided. The staff left nothing for want, anytime we needed extra sauce or refills they were there without hesitation. Not only did the staff take care of us that way, our waiter also gave us some extra bread and cinnamon rolls to go after we raved about how much we loved them. Truly above and beyond in taking care of guests!

    Portobello Chicken
    Amanda S.

    We just finished enjoying a birthday dinner at the Half-Way House which, as a local, has been on the bucket list for many years. To start, the ambience is perfect. The dining room is cozy and dimly lit, with candlelight adding to the overall experience. Since it's still late summer, the fireplace was not in use but I can imagine it is even more magical in the winter. Sparsely but comfortably decorated, the colonial atmosphere is well represented and you can't help but marvel at the legacy of the building. Did the Marquis de Lafayette sit at a table like this one, planning campaigns? Did Grant stand at the fireplace mantle contemplating the fate of the nation? It's quite an experience, especially if you are a history buff. The service is also excellent. Unobtrusive but attentive. Our server (I wish I could remember his name to mention here) was quick to provide warm bread and cinnamon rolls after we were seated and kept our drinks full for the length of the dinner. Plates were cleared quietly without interrupting the flow of the meal. We started with the crab dip, which was absolutely delicious. Large chunks of fresh crab meat were complimented by a creamy dip base which was perfectly seasoned and had just enough spice. There were, unfortunately, not enough crostini to finish the dip but we happily dug in our spoons to eat the remainder because it was too good to send back a half full cup. Our dinners consisted of the broiled seafood platter with rice, portobello chicken with twice baked potato and the vegetable for the evening, asparagus, and the Cajun pasta, which also came with a side of the asparagus. The entrees were hit or miss. The Cajun pasta was very flavorful and slightly piquant without being overpowering. Generous portions of chicken, crawfish and alligator sausage mingled with plenty of tomato, onion and perfectly-cooked penne but I did not see any of the shrimp that was supposed to also come with the dish. Either it was very finely chopped and indistinguishable from the crawfish or it was sadly left off. The portion was also large enough to bring home leftovers - easily the best value of what we ordered. The broiled seafood platter was lacking in flavor and a few lemon wedges would have gone a long way to bringing some freshness to the dish. The scallops were very good quality, with large shrimp and a good filet of fish but the overall taste was bland. The portobello chicken was dull, as well, with the twice baked potato ending up being the highlight. Creamy and luscious, it elevated what would have otherwise been a slightly forgettable plate. The chicken itself was tender but, like the broiled fish, lacked flavor. With all three plates, the asparagus was also a stand out. While most asparagus I've had at any restaurant, fine dining or otherwise, is typically slimy or overcooked, this was fresh-tasting and struck the perfect balance of crunchy and tender. The roasted red peppers added a nice touch, leaving the asparagus garnished in a way that was similar to being tied up with a red bow. Delicious. We finished with the crème brûlée, garnished with a ripe strawberry halve and a twirl of absolutely delicious fresh whipped cream. The caramelized sugar was executed well and the custard was just sweet enough to not be cloying. One of the best I've ever had. While I would love to give the Half-Way House five stars based on the atmosphere and service alone, some of the food left us wanting for more. Everything was well plated and skillfully cooked but the flavors were missing that special something that would have elevated the experience. We will be back to try other dishes because it is overall an excellent restaurant, and it is a can't-miss trip back in time that deserves a visit if you're looking for unique fine dining.

    Valentine's Day menu

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    1 month ago

    What a wonderful dinner in a colonial environment with attentive service. It is definitely worth frequent visits to you

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    24 days ago

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    6 days ago

    Everything. Very happy and our Guests always are too. A definite Go To place in Richmond and Chesterfield

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Exceptional service, ambience, and food. The Half Way House has been consistently excellent for the 20 years I've been visiting.

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    2 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Food and service were both great from this off the beaten path local spot! I would go out of my way to make this trip again!

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    3 months ago

    Food was very good and service was very friendly. Would absolutely go back. The history of the location was very interesting.

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    Wonderful food, service, and a venue with an amazing history for the history buff. I highly recommend the Half Way House.

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    1 year ago

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    4 months ago

    Amazing place to have a nice dinner. Staff is amazing, delicious food and historic atmosphere. Feel like family.

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    4 months ago

    The food, service and Ambiance are amazing.. Amazing is the best way to describe this restaurant

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    4 months ago

    Visiting family was charmed by the historical significance of the home and delighted with their delicious surf and turf.

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    Half Way House Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Half Way House

    Do you have a vegetarian plate option on your menu?

    Thank you for your inquiry. While we do not have vegetarian options on our menu our great chef of over 30 years Ray Allen welcomes special requests. In order to meet your particular needs please reach out to us in advance and we will what we can to… 

    What is the average price for entrée, 2 sides,and bread? How much are your soft drinks?

    Mike, our current dinner menu prices are from $45 to $64 and include sides and rolls & cinnamon rolls. Soft drinks are $3 (unlimited refills).

    Do you have a menu for kids?

    Thank you for your question. We don’t have a children’s menu. We offer children’s portions of many of our menu items. Our chef has been with us for over 35 years and enjoys special requests. We always have Chicken Tenders & Fries and would consider… 

    Do they have a buffet, and if so - are the buffet hours different than normal operation hours?

    Thanks for asking but we do not have a buffet.

    Can a person get in with a wheelchair?

    I don't think so.... they have a narrow stairway that goes into the basement with stairs and there is an upstairs,... maybe there is a ramp at the front of the house but I didn't even see handicap parking signs when we went with my 93 year great… 

    Do they serve draft beer?

    The have a very small but well stocked bar. Not 100% sure of their beer selection...but I would venture that it is on the traditional side.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Ocean Crab House

    Ocean Crab House

    3.8
    (38 reviews)
    4.9 mi

    Great food! They host R&B music after 5:00 to add to the ambience!…read more The support staff is excellent. REPEAT!

    I went to Ocean Crab and I will say this--the owner is very nasty…read more There's a little skinny Chinese guy (the owner) who acts like no mistakes can be made and he is NOT a man of his word. I ordered food and what I asked for was not even in my order. So I called to let them know. He told me when I come back I could get another plate or something else and I wouldn't have to pay, especially since I live far. When I got there, his whole attitude switched. He got aggressive and said, "why would I tell you that? nothing is free." I didn't even get to eat my food. Now let's talk about the atmosphere. Ever since they started playing loud music in there, it's just not the same. It's NOT kid-friendly at all. It's supposed to be a restaurant, but the mixed vibe is off. It turns into something else at night and honestly, it doesn't feel safe. If you go later when it's crowded, just know what you're walking into. Don't look at nobody wrong, don't drink too heavy, don't bump into anyone--because it can turn into a fight real quick. The ONLY positive thing I will say is Sandra the bartender--A+. If you do go, go to her. She's really good at what she does. But overall, the service, the attitude, and the environment is not it for me.

    Photos
    Stage area !
    Stage area !
    Seafood boil corn potatoes sausage crab legs lobster tails
    Seafood boil corn potatoes sausage crab legs lobster tails
    Lunch menu

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    Lunch menu
    Lilly Pad

    Lilly Pad

    4.2
    (172 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    This was my first time visiting LillyPad for brunch, and it was such a beautiful experience! We sat…read moreright on the dock overlooking the water while the sun was shining, and a DJ played a great mix of music. The atmosphere was lively, relaxing, and perfect for brunch. For drinks, we ordered guava and traditional mimosas, along with a Bloody Mary. The Bloody Mary was honestly one of the best I've ever had! We shared the breakfast pizza, which was to die for and surprisingly filling. I ordered the bacon, egg, and cheese on Texas toast. The eggs were fluffy, and the crispy homestyle potatoes were the perfect side. My mom ordered the Hangover Burger, and even though she normally isn't a burger person, she tore it up! The onions were beautifully caramelized, and all the flavors came together wonderfully. Great food, drinks, music, and waterfront views--I will definitely be back!

    I've been wanting to try the Lilly Pad for a minute because I've heard so much about it, so let's…read morediscuss. The vibe here is EVERYTHING!!! It feels like you are on vacation but you are 20ish minutes out of the city. I came on a night where they had a DJ, the DJ was really good and also curated the "pseudo vacation" vibes. I'm giving them a 3 stars because of the vibes. I'll definitely be back for Salsa night. I loveeeed the ambiance however, the reason for my rating was the food and the drinks. If I was solely rating for the food, it would be 1 star! The food was so disappointing, so much so that I didn't even bother finishing and didn't take it to go. First, I tried the crab dip, it tasted extremely raw. Very strange. A lot of cheese. I've never really tasted crab dip like that before. I give that, 1 star. I also ordered the calamari, didn't like that either. It had no flavor and was so greasy. It was served with marinara sauce and that didn't really elevate the taste either. Tried the catfish po'boy and that was the best thing I tried the entire night. I would give that a solid 4. The fries that was served with it was DOSED in seasoning. It was so salty, that alone with give me hypertension and cause my demise at age 27. Had to stop eating those after a few bites. The drinks were okay, a little too sweet. Taste like no alcohol. I was disappointed in even that too! Overall, the ambiance here is great! I wish they would put more effort into the food because this place has such good potential

    Photos
    Lilly Pad
    BLT
    BLT
    Lilly Pad

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    Half Way House - tradamerican - Updated August 2026

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